As you know, on July 17 the Quebec government made important changes to its halocarbon regulations. From now on, building owners and managers must now modify their management practices to comply with the demands of the new requirements.
The revised regulations are now online and can be consulted at: http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fr/ShowDoc/cr/q-2,%20r.%2029
BOMA Quebec also presented a webinar explaining the main changes affecting building owners and managers. The content of the presentation can be found in the BOMA Quebec virtual library at: https://www.boma-quebec.org/boma/data/files/webinaire_halocarbures.pdf
Changes now in effect:
- As of March 31, 2021, you must send a report to the Ministry of any accidental releases of more than 10 kilos of liquid halocarbons that occurred between April 16 and December 31, 2020. (Article 13).
- You must ensure that a refrigeration or air conditioning unit bears a label indicating the type of halocarbon, the halocarbon charge in the unit and the date when the information was last updated prior to April 16, 2021. (Article 17.1).
- All units with a nominal volts rating equal to or greater than 20kW must undergo an annual leak test. (Article 22).
- Units that have been repaired following a leak test must be tested anew 1 month after the unit is reactivated (Article 22).
- HVAC service technicians (maintenance, repair, installation, leak tests, etc.) must from now on submit a report (a log) to building owners, regardless of the type of equipment they have repaired or maintained. Building owners must keep the log for at least 5 years after the date that work was done on the unit. (Articles 59 and 60).